All states › Washington › Kirkland › Life Care Center of Kirkland
10101 Northeast 120th Street Kirkland, WA 98034 · King County
CMS certification number 505334 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Life Care Center of Kirkland a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record
There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for Life Care Center of Kirkland as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 3 out of 5 stars overall, about the same as the Washington average of 3.3.
Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.
Staffing
Nursing staff spend about 3.80 hours per resident per day at Life Care Center of Kirkland, below the Washington median of 4.15 (US median: 3.72). About 1.00 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.03 hours, 20% below its all-week average. Ask how weekends are staffed. 49.5% of nursing staff left within a year (Washington median 43%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Life Care Center of Kirkland: Medicare and Medicaid
Life Care Center of Kirkland is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled-nursing or rehab stay here after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days (observation days don't count), for up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicaid can pay for long-term care for residents who meet Washington's income and asset rules. Being certified doesn't guarantee a Medicaid bed is open, so ask whether the home accepts residents whose Medicaid application is still pending.
In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.
Health inspections
The most recent standard inspection was on November 26, 2025 and found 14 deficiencies, plus 2 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 62 citations in the last three years.
Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.
What the inspections found
Over the last three years, inspectors issued 62 citations at Life Care Center of Kirkland across 16 inspection dates, 25 of them from complaint investigations. 3 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on August 29, 2025. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (16) and resident assessment and care planning (12). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing" (tag F0686, level G, August 29, 2025). 11 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
June 16, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
March 23, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
November 26, 2025 · 14 citations
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EPost nurse staffing information every day.
EEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
EImplement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
DHonor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
DGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
August 29, 2025 · 3 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
May 9, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
ECreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
April 8, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
March 17, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DPlan the resident's discharge to meet the resident's goals and needs.
November 7, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
September 26, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
September 6, 2024 · 17 citations · includes complaint inspection
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
EEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
DAssess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
DAssure that each resident’s assessment is updated at least once every 3 months.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DEnsure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
DEnsure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
April 24, 2024 · 5 citations · includes complaint inspection
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
April 3, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
FDesignate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
March 13, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
February 1, 2024 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
December 5, 2023 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
May 4, 2023 · 9 citations, includes actual harm
GProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EEncode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
DEnsure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
DProvide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
DImplement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Questions to ask on a tour of Life Care Center of Kirkland
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on August 29, 2025 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on March 23, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Weekend staffing is 20% below the all-week average. Who is on duty on Saturday nights?
- The home averages about 46% of its beds filled. Are any units closed?
- Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
- When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?
Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.
Fines and payment denials
2 penalties in the last three years, including $53,560 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 29, 2025 | Fine | $14,950 |
| Feb 1, 2024 | Fine | $38,610 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Life Care Center of Kirkland
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
- 0.8 mi
-
1.5 mi
Evergreenhealth Medical Center KirklandEmergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5Median ER visit 3h 16m for patients treated and sent home
- 4.2 mi
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
More nursing homes near Life Care Center of Kirkland › All nursing homes in Kirkland ›
Compare Life Care Center of Kirkland with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Shoreline Health and Rehabilitation · Seattle · 5 stars · 4.6 mi
- Fircrest Nursing Facility · Seattle · 5 stars · 5.3 mi
- Queen Anne Healthcare · Seattle · 5 stars · 7.8 mi
- Covenant Shores Health Center · Mercer Island · 5 stars · 8.7 mi
Other Life Care Centers of America nursing homes in Washington
- Garden Terrace Healthcare Center of Federal Way · Federal Way · 5 stars
- Life Care Center of South Hill · Puyallup · 5 stars
- Cottesmore of Life Care · Gig Harbor · 5 stars
- Life Care Center of Port Orchard · Port Orchard · 5 stars
- Life Care Center of Port Townsend · Port Townsend · 5 stars
- Life Care Center of Skagit Valley · Sedro Woolley · 4 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 194 Life Care Centers of America nursing homes ›
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.